Google Inc. is developing a videogame console and digital wrist watch powered by its Android operating system, according to people familiar with the matter, as the Internet company seeks to spread the software’s domination beyond smartphones and tablets and cement build the company ‘s reputation as a hardware maker.

With the watch and game console, Google is hoping to combat similar devices that Apple Inc. may release in the future, according to the people familiar with the matter.

Google is also preparing to release a second version of a Web-connected, Android-powered media-playing device, called Nexus Q, that was unveiled last year but not sold to the public, these people said.

The Internet giant hopes to design and market the devices itself and release at least one of them this fall, they added.

A Google spokeswoman declined to comment.

The hardware plans are the latest sign of Google’s determination to build on the success of Android, the software it launched in 2008 that powered 75% of all smartphones and 56.5% of tablets shipped globally in the first quarter, according to the research firm IDC.

Games that run on Android software have proved particularly popular, and they are growing much more quickly than games made for the big-name consoles supplied by Microsoft Corp., Sony Corp. and Nintendo Co. The appeal of such games has prompted the development of new devices aimed specifically for Android by other hardware companies.

The people briefed on the matter said Google is reacting in part to expectations that rival Apple will launch a videogame console as part of its next Apple TV product release.

An Apple spokeswoman declined to comment.

Google has also been watching the efforts of Ouya Inc., a startup that this week began selling a $99 Android-based console and game controller, one of these people said.

People seem to be forgetting that this is Google. Far different from Ouya which had to garner support from Kickstarter in-order to even launch. This could be a hit or miss, depending on what they are planning to do. If its priced right I may even grab one for streaming/server purposes.

Android? They better off making there on OS and getting new games. Android games are terrible. Ouya, Nvidia Shield, now this? How many consoles that do the same thing are needed? Android should announce they making a android console now.

This could be good... Especially if they dont use basic smartphone/tablet ARM SoC, but create custom SoC that is really high powered. Dont be cheap Google, create SoC that pulls too much power for tablets, take advantage from the power cord that is attached to the wall outlet. As the time goes by, phones and tablets will catch up to it with their HW.

The worst part about these Android consoles is that somehow, the focus is never on the games. No new games, no exclusives - nope, just a way to play phone games on a TV.

This isn't exactly true. The original idea of (pitch for) the Ouya was that it'd be an open, affordable game console. It would inadvertently use Android because that'd make it easy to port existing games to, but eventually, it was hoped that developers would create games specifically for Ouya. Now that the reality turned out to be "phone games on a TV", it's easy to forget that that wasn't the original vision.

OT: I think a Google console could be great. I love Android and they seem to have the resources to make it work.

This reads to me more like Google are exploring the idea of releasing an android-based console. So sure, they're developing potential prototypes and experimenting and such, but there's no guarantees that this thing will ever see the light of day.

Android? They better off making there on OS and getting new games. Android games are terrible. Ouya, Nvidia Shield, now this? How many consoles that do the same thing are needed? Android should announce they making a android console now.